ZAGREB - Renault topped a list of best-selling cars in the booming Croatian market last year, despite the French automaker's sales slump worldwide, according to a market survey. Renault was Croatians' favourite brand with 13,000 of a total 75,000 vehicles sold in the country in 2003, according to the results of a survey by Promcija Plus.

Croatia's car market showed steady growth in 2003, with 4,000 more cars sold than in 2002. The best-selling model was Renault Clio, with 5,800 units sold.

The number two slot was held by German carmaker Opel, followed by two other French companies, Citroen and Peugeot.

Renault reported a 0.7-percent sales slump last year and said it would launch a new low-cost vehicle for Romania and central Europe that would go on sale for 5,000 euros (6,300 dollars).

Renault said its worldwide sales in 2003 slipped to 2.208 million vehicles but said its performance should improve this year.

Renault said a low-cost model manufactured principally in Romania by Dacia, which the French group acquired in 1999, would be launched near the end of 2004.

In addition to Romania the X90, as the car will be known, will be marketed in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Croatia.

Renault chairman Louis Schweitzer has said the vehicle has been designed for markets with limited consumer purchasing power and where customers are seeking cars that come without the accessories sought by buyers in western Europe.